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Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Former UC president Santa Ono, who left Michigan post in May, rejected for Florida job
Former University of Cincinnati President Santa Ono was rejected in his bid to be the next president of the University of Florida. That school's Board of Governors voted down his nomination Tuesday, June 3, after Ono had come under withering criticism from conservatives in Florida and elsewhere who were troubled by his tenure at the University of Michigan, including his previous support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Ono resigned his U-M job last month after being named the sole finalist for the top job at Florida. The Free Press was unable to reach Ono for comment. The Free Press also left a message seeking comment from U-M. Several of the school's regents declined to comment. Ono served as UC president for four years, from 2012 to 2016. He left to become the 15th president and vice-chancellor of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. The rejection marked a stunning fall from grace for Ono, who had received unanimous support a week earlier from the Board of Trustees at the university's flagship school in Gainsville. That support included a contract that could have paid him up to $15 million over five years. The Board of Governors that voted him down oversees the entire University of Florida system, which has 12 public universities, including the Gainesville campus. Ono had tried to navigate the changing political winds higher education now faces in the second Trump administration. At times, he was criticized for appearing to capitulate to Trump's demands. In February, the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funds from universities that consider race in their admission practices. In March, Ono announced that U-M would close its expansive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and redirect the funds to more student-focused efforts, such as the expansion of the Go Blue Guarantee, which provides free tuition to students from Michigan who meet income guidelines. Also in March, the U.S. Department of Education threatened to withhold funding to 60 universities across the country, including U-M, for what the Trump administration considered the schools' insufficient efforts to combat antisemitism. That charge came after U-M had long faced criticism of its treatment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on campus, including the removal of a protest encampment on the U-M Diag. The school's treatment of those protesters prompted lawsuits against U-M, but in the eyes of some people in Florida, Ono was too soft on the encampment. On June 2, Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott blasted Ono's nomination in a post on X ahead of the vote. 'Clearly, Ono has a concerning record from his time at the University of Michigan, where he allowed an illegal, pro-terrorist encampment to take over the campus for nearly a month, putting Jewish students in danger and failing to uphold even the most basic standards of leadership,' Scott wrote. 'He also has a record of embracing divisive and radical DEI policies, showing he is willing to appease and prioritize far-left activists over ensuring students are protected and receive a quality education.' Alan Festo of the Gainesville Sun contributed to this report. Contact John Wisely: jwisely@ On X: @jwisely This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Santa Ono, ex-UC president, rejected for University of Florida job
USA Today
a day ago
- General
- USA Today
Santa Ono's bid to become UF president rejected: Here's what to know
Santa Ono's bid to become UF president rejected: Here's what to know Show Caption Hide Caption Santa Ono blocked from UF presidency amid DEI backlash Santa Ono, former University of Michigan president and a prominent academic leader, was blocked from becoming the next president of the University of Florida after a 10-6 vote by the state university system's Board of Governors. Fox - 35 Orlando Florida's Board of Governors voted down the former University of Michigan's nomination to become the next president of the University of Florida. The board rejected Santa Ono's nomination, whom Florida conservatives criticized due to his previous support of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, according to the Detroit Free Press, a part of the USA TODAY network. The rejection comes after Ono resigned from his position in May, after being named the sole finalist for the position. The position would have paid $15 million over a five-year period. USA TODAY has reached out to the University of Florida for comment. Here's what to know about the controversy. Florida politicians weigh in on Ono's nomination On June 2, Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott blasted Ono's nomination in a post on X ahead of the vote. Ono "has a record of embracing divisive and radical DEI policies, showing he is willing to appease and prioritize far-left activists over ensuring students are protected and receive a quality education.' Scott wrote. University of Michigan accused of insufficient efforts to combat antisemitism In March, the U.S. Department of Education threatened to withhold funding to 60 universities across the country, including the University of Michigan, U-M, not to be confused with Florida's University of Miami, for what the Trump administration considered the schools' insufficient efforts to combat antisemitism. 'Clearly, Ono has a concerning record from his time at the University of Michigan, where he allowed an illegal, pro-terrorist encampment to take over the campus for nearly a month, putting Jewish students in danger and failing to uphold even the most basic standards of leadership,' Scott stated. However, Trump's charge came after U-M had long faced criticism of its treatment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on campus, including the removal of a protest encampment on the U-M Diag. The school's treatment of those protesters prompted lawsuits against U-M, but in the eyes of some people in Florida, Ono was too soft on the encampment. Universities and DEI In February, the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funds from universities that consider race in their admission practices. In March, Ono announced that U-M would close its expansive Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and redirect the funds to more student-focused efforts, like the expansion of the Go Blue Guarantee, which provides free tuition for students from Michigan who meet income guidelines. What is the Florida Board of Governors? It is a board that consists of 17 members that "oversees the operation and management of the Florida public university system's twelve institutions," according to the State University System of Florida. Of the 17 members, 14 are appointed to the board by Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, Republican, and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The three remaining members include the following people: Chair of the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates The Commissioner of Education The Chair of the Florida Student Association The members of the board have a term of seven years. The board was created in 2003, after the Florida Constitution was amended in 2002 to create a system of governance for public universities in the state, according to the University of West Florida's websit Contributing: Alan Festo, Gainesville Sun Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ Contact John Wisely: jwisely@ On X: @jwisely
Economic Times
2 days ago
- General
- Economic Times
Santa Ono rejected for University of Florida presidency amid political backlash
Santa Ono, former University of Michigan president, was rejected for the University of Florida presidency following criticism over his support for diversity, equity and inclusion policies. The Board of Governors voted against his appointment despite earlier approval by the Board of Trustees. Ono previously announced DEI cuts and faced protests at U-M Santa Ono speaks at a University of Michigan event in Ann Arbor before stepping down in May 2025. His bid to lead the University of Florida was later rejected by the state's Board of Governors (Emily Elconin/The New York Times) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Santa Ono, the former president of the University of Michigan, will not become the next president of the University of Florida following a vote by the Florida Board of Governors on June 3. The decision followed criticism from conservative voices in Florida and beyond concerning Ono's record on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and campus protests during his time in Ann had previously received unanimous backing from the University of Florida Board of Trustees, including an offer for a five-year contract worth up to $15 million. However, the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state's 12 public universities, reversed course. Critics cited concerns about Ono's past support of DEI initiatives and his handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of read: Education secretary Linda McMahon urges universities to align with Trump administration for federal funding The criticism intensified as Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott publicly opposed the nomination. In a June 2 post on X, Scott said Ono allowed what he described as an "illegal, pro-terrorist encampment" to remain on the U-M campus for nearly a month. He added that Ono's DEI-related policies were divisive and prioritized activism over student safety and educational March, Ono announced the closure of U-M's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The redirected funds were planned for the Go Blue Guarantee, a tuition support initiative for in-state students meeting income eligibility. The move was seen as an attempt to align with changing political pressures under President Donald Trump's also faced scrutiny from the US Department of Education earlier this year. In February, the administration warned universities against using race as a factor in admissions. By March, 60 universities, including U-M, were under review for what federal officials called inadequate responses to antisemitism. U-M's removal of a protest encampment in the Diag led to lawsuits and national debate over campus protest read: US: Pause on student visa interviews faces criticism from LinkedIn co-founder Ono resigned from the University of Michigan in May after being named the sole finalist for the Florida job. The Free Press was unable to reach him or representatives from U-M for comment on the Florida board's Florida Board of Governors' rejection of Ono highlights the growing influence of political considerations in presidential searches at public universities. With education policy becoming increasingly polarized, decisions over university leadership are increasingly shaped by issues such as DEI programs, campus free speech, and federal compliance related to civil rights and rejection follows a broader trend in higher education, particularly in states where political leaders have taken strong stances against DEI frameworks. Florida has implemented new regulations targeting DEI initiatives and public university governance, echoing federal efforts to reshape higher education standards and funding priorities.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Santa Ono, former University of Michigan president, rejected for Florida job
Santa Ono, former University of Michigan president, rejected for Florida job Show Caption Hide Caption University of Michigan ends DEI programs effective immediately In response to federal pressure by the Trump Administration, U-M is ending DEI school leaders announced Thursday. Fox - 2 Detroit Santa Ono resigned his job as president of the University of Michigan last month to pursue the Florida job. His rejection comes just one week after the Board of Trustees of the Gainsville Campus unanimously approved his nomination. This story has been updated with additional information. Former University of Michigan President Santa Ono was rejected in his bid to be the next president of the University of Florida. That school's Board of Governors voted down his nomination Tuesday, June 3, after Ono had come under withering criticism from conservatives in Florida and elsewhere who were troubled by his tenure in Ann Arbor, including his previous support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Ono resigned his U-M job last month when he was named the sole finalist for the top job at Florida. The Free Press was unable to reach Ono for comment. The Free Press also left a message seeking comment from U-M. Several of the school's regents declined to comment. The rejection marked a stunning fall from grace for Ono, who had received unanimous support a week earlier from the Board of Trustees at the university's flagship school in Gainsville. That support included a contract that could have paid him up to $15 million over five years. The Board of Governors that voted him down oversees the entire University of Florida system, which has 12 public universities, including the Gainesville campus. Ono had tried to navigate the changing political winds higher education now faces in the second Trump administration. At times, he was criticized for appearing to capitulate to Trump's demands. In February, the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funds from universities that consider race in their admission practices. In March, Ono announced that U-M would close its expansive Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and redirect that money to more student-focused efforts like the expansion of the Go Blue Guarantee, which provides free tuition for students from Michigan who meet income guidelines. Also in March, the U.S. Department of Education threatened to withhold funding to 60 universities across the country, including U-M, for what the Trump administration considered the schools' insufficient efforts to combat antisemitism. That charge came after U-M had long faced criticism of its treatment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on campus, including the removal of a protest encampment on the U-M Diag. The school's treatment of those protesters prompted lawsuits against U-M, but in the eyes of some people in Florida, Ono was too soft on the encampment. On June 2, Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott blasted Ono's nomination in a post on X ahead of the vote. 'Clearly, Ono has a concerning record from his time at the University of Michigan, where he allowed an illegal, pro-terrorist encampment to take over the campus for nearly a month, putting Jewish students in danger and failing to uphold even the most basic standards of leadership,' Scott wrote. 'He also has a record of embracing divisive and radical DEI policies, showing he is willing to appease and prioritize far-left activists over ensuring students are protected and receive a quality education.' Alan Festo of the Gainesville Sun contributed to this report. Contact John Wisely: jwisely@ On X: @jwisely
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Santa Ono rejected for University of Florida presidency amid political backlash
Santa Ono rejected by University of Florida Board of Governors Santa Ono, the former president of the University of Michigan, will not become the next president of the University of Florida following a vote by the Florida Board of Governors on June 3. The decision followed criticism from conservative voices in Florida and beyond concerning Ono's record on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and campus protests during his time in Ann Arbor. Initial support reversed by Board over DEI and protest response Ono had previously received unanimous backing from the University of Florida Board of Trustees, including an offer for a five-year contract worth up to $15 million. However, the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state's 12 public universities, reversed course. Critics cited concerns about Ono's past support of DEI initiatives and his handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of Michigan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Virginia Residents Get Huge Home Insurance Reduction Smart Lifestyle Trends Learn More Also read: Education secretary Linda McMahon urges universities to align with Trump administration for federal funding The criticism intensified as Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott publicly opposed the nomination. In a June 2 post on X, Scott said Ono allowed what he described as an "illegal, pro-terrorist encampment" to remain on the U-M campus for nearly a month. He added that Ono's DEI-related policies were divisive and prioritized activism over student safety and educational quality. Live Events University of Michigan DEI cuts, federal scrutiny preceded rejection In March, Ono announced the closure of U-M's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The redirected funds were planned for the Go Blue Guarantee, a tuition support initiative for in-state students meeting income eligibility. The move was seen as an attempt to align with changing political pressures under President Donald Trump's administration. Ono also faced scrutiny from the US Department of Education earlier this year. In February, the administration warned universities against using race as a factor in admissions. By March, 60 universities, including U-M, were under review for what federal officials called inadequate responses to antisemitism. U-M's removal of a protest encampment in the Diag led to lawsuits and national debate over campus protest policies. Also read: US: Pause on student visa interviews faces criticism from LinkedIn co-founder Ono resigned from the University of Michigan in May after being named the sole finalist for the Florida job. The Free Press was unable to reach him or representatives from U-M for comment on the Florida board's decision. Florida presidential search reflects national education trends The Florida Board of Governors' rejection of Ono highlights the growing influence of political considerations in presidential searches at public universities. With education policy becoming increasingly polarized, decisions over university leadership are increasingly shaped by issues such as DEI programs, campus free speech, and federal compliance related to civil rights and antisemitism. Ono's rejection follows a broader trend in higher education, particularly in states where political leaders have taken strong stances against DEI frameworks. Florida has implemented new regulations targeting DEI initiatives and public university governance, echoing federal efforts to reshape higher education standards and funding priorities.
